Data encoding keyboard

Abstract

A data encoding keyboard for use in electronic processing systems such as electronic calculators includes a pushbutton encoded thumbwheel switch. A plurality of cams secured to the switch define different codes in accordance with the angular orientation of the thumbwheel. The cams engage contacts on a printed circuit matrix adjacent the thumbwheel when the thumbwheel is depressed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an electronic system of the type including keyboard means for entering information into the system, processing means for processing the entered information and for performing selected operations in response to said entered information, and output means for displaying the results of the entered information or selected operation, said processing means performing any one of a plurality of operations in response to the entered information determined by said input means, the input means comprising a plurality of separate, different rotary thumbwheel pushbutton switch means having first and second positions coupled to said processing means, each said switch means having a first normally open switch condition when said switch means is in said first position, said switch means including switch encoding means having a plurality of selectable binary encoded second closed switch conditions when said switch means is displaced to said second position, each said closed switch condition entering information or causing said processing means to perform an operation corresponding to the selected binary code of that switch means. 
     
     
       2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises a rotatably mounted thumbwheel,   means for mounting the thumbwheel so that the wheel can displace from said first position to said second position,   a plurality of rotatably selectable separate encoded switch closing means secured to said wheel, and   switch contact means secured ajacent said wheel, said contact means being responsive to the code of the selected corresponding closing means when said wheel is placed in said second position.   
     
     
       3. The electronic system of claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a first binary encoded member having a plurality of encoded positions, each encoded position corresponding to a separate binary switch code, and a second member adapted to engage said first member when said first member is displaced to said second positon, said second member being responsive to the binary code of said first member only when said first member engages said second member to thereby provide said selected second closed switch condition. 
     
     
       4. The electronic system of claim 3 wherein said first member includes a first plurality of switch engaging means each disposed in an encoded array, said second member including a second plurality of switch engaging means disposed in a given array, certain of said given array engaging the selected encoded array in accordance with the code of said selected encoded array. 
     
     
       5. A rotatable pushbutton switch comprising: a support having a surface,   a thumbwheel member rotatable about a first axis generally parallel to said surface and having M radial sectors, where M is an integer greater than one,   resilient mounting means secured to said support and including means for resiliently, rotatably mounting said rotatable member and urging said member in a first direction generally normal to said first axis and to said surface to a first position, said resilient mounting means being adapted to permit said member to displace in a second direction normal to said first axis and to said surface to a second position,   switch encoding means on said rotatable member, representing N binary codes in N respective radial sectors of said member, where N is an integer greater than one, and   switch means disposed adjacent said rotatable member and responsive to said switch encoding means when said member is in one of said first and second positions to provide a binary encoded switch condition corresponding to a given angular orientation of said member.   
     
     
       6. A pushbutton switch comprising: housing means,   a thumbwheel switch which is moveably secured to the housing means normally biased to one position and which can be depressed to a second position in a first direction, the switch also being so mounted that it can be oriented about an axis normal to said first direction in one of N different ways, where N is an integer greater than one,   N groups of encoding means on said switch, each such group representing a code, and each being accessible in a different orientation of the switch, and   decoder means in operative relationship with the switch, responsive to the code which is accessible when said switch is depressed in said first direction, for producing an output representing the accessed code.   
     
     
       7. The switch of claim 6, wherein said switch comprises a thumbwheel rotatably mounted to rotate about said axis and resiliently mounted to said housing means to displace in said first direction. 
     
     
       8. The switch of claim 6 wherein each group of encoding means comprises from O to M contact engaging elements, and said decoder means comprises M contact means, in positions to be engaged, by up to M contact engaging elements, respectively, where M is an integer greater than 1.